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E. D. WATKINS. FENCE POST.

Patented Mar. 24, 1891.

3 "MINIMUM UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN D. WVATKINS, OF LIMA, NEIV YORK, ASSIGNOR OF TlVO-FIFTHS TO WILLIAM L. VARY AND THOMAS F. ASHE, OF SAME PLACE.

FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Iatent No. 449,018, dated March 24, 1891.

Application filed December 11, 1890- Serial No. 374,374. (No model.)

citizen of the United States of America, re-

siding at Lima, in the county of Livingston and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefullmprovements in Fence- Posts, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention pertains to a new and improved fence-post, having for its object the production of simple and highly-efficient means by which the parts of the post can be securely held together, and the post can be firmly anchored in the ground or soil where located and held as against lateral displacement.

The invention consists of a fence-post having upper parallel vertical portions and a lower divergent pyramidal or triangular shaped anchor end, all formed from a single T-shaped or angular bar, the central right-angularfiangeof saidbar being outward throughout the length of the bar.

The invention further consists in a fencepost, of a single angular bar having a lower divergent pyramidal or triangular shaped anchor end, the vertical portions of said bar being placed back to back and secured together by rivets or wire lacing passed through their parallel side flanges, substantially as hereinafter fully set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of my improved fencepost. Fig. 1 is a horizontal sectional view thereof on a slightly enlarged scale. Fig. 2 is a view of aslightly-modified form, showing the ends of the bar connected at the lower end of the post. Fig. 3 is a view of another modification, showing the ends of the bar connected by a horizontal bar. Fig. 4 is a view of another slightly-modified form, showing the vertical portions of the post connected by a wire lacing.

In the construction of my improved fencepost I employ a single bar A of T shape, the lower anchor end a of which is preferably made of pyramidal or triangular form, so as to be firmly held by the surrounding earth.

The shape of the baritselt also serves to hold the post firmly embedded, the soil being on each side of the central projectingfiange.

The preferred form of post is shown in Fig.

The bar A is bent at its lower end outwardly, as at a, then on a horizontal plane,

- as at a and thence inwardly on an incline,

or apertures b is fiormed in one of these central flanges b through which the wires are passed for securing the fence rails or panels. (Not shown.) Thus it will be seen that by reason of the bar being made of T shape the same provides means for firmly embedding and supporting the post in place and also'for securing the parts of the post together.

In Fig. 2 I have shown a slight modification of my invention, the same consisting in bending bar A at the upper end 0 and uniting the lower ends at (Z bya bolt or other suitable means, the point of connection being preferably at the center of the horizontal portion a of the pyramidal anchor end.

In Fig. 3 I have shown another modification of my invention. The lower ends of the bar, instead of being connected directly to each other, are rigidly secured to the ends of a bar D, which completes the pyramidal anchor end.

In all other respects this form of my inven- 8: tion, like that shown in Fig. 2, is similar to l the form first above described and shown in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated another modified form of my invention, the same relating to the manner of uniting the vertical portions of the post. In lieu of riveting together the parallel flanges b the same are here shown as being connected by a wire lacing E, which is passed alternately from one vertical portion of the post to the other. Under this form rail ends can be placed between the vertical portions and supported by the wire lacing.

The advantages of myinvention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

I am aware that it is not new to provide fence-posts with lower widened ends to serve as an anchor or support, and hence I do not make broad claim thereto.

My invention is designed as an improvement in the art in that the post is made from a single angular bar, whereby superior anchorage is obtained for the lower pyramidal or triangular end, and the vertical portions of the post above the ground can be readily and securely united together.

A post constructed as herein described is extremely simple, cheap, and durable.

Vhile I have described the post as being preferably constructed from abar of T shape, yet I do not restrict myself thereto, since without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention said bar can be of L shape and substantially the same results secured.

I am aware that it is not new to construct a fence-post of vertically-disposed T-bars, and also that it is notnew to provide a fence-post with parallel vertical portions. My invention is designed as an improvement oversueh constructions in that it is composed of a single angular bar bent so as to form a lower pyramidal end and parallel vertical portions above the ground, and parallel flanges of the vertical portions of said bar being secured together. V

I claim as my invention- 1. A fence-post composed of a single T- shaped bar having a lower pyramidal or iii angular anchor end and upper parallel vertical portions united together, the central right-angular flange of said bar being outward throughout the entire length of the bar, as set forth. a

2. A fence-post composed of a single T- shaped bar having a lower pyramidal or triangular anchor end and upper parallel vertical portions having holes or apertures in their parallel flanges, and means for connecting said flanges, substantially as set forth.

3. A fence-post composed of a single T- shaped bar having a lower pyramidal or triangular anchor end and upper parallel ver tical portions placed back to back and having holes or apertures in their parallel flanges, and rivets passed through said holes or apertures, as set forth.

4. A fence-post composed of a single continuous bar having a lower pyramidal or triangular anchor end and upper parallel vertical portions united together and provided with holes or apertures for the fence-wires, as set forth.

5. The herein-described improved fencepost, consisting of a single bar of T shape bent at its lower portion to form a pyramidal or triangular anchor and having parallel vertical portions placed back to back, the rivets passed through the parallel side flanges of said bar, and the series of holes or apertures in the central right-angular flanges, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof Iaflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWIN D. \VATKINS.

Witnesses:

GEo. W. ATWELL, Jr., GEO. T. SALMON. 

